Signaling device



S. M. DODSON AND V. H. COATES.

SIGNAL] NG DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.5. 1920.

Patented Feb. 15, 1921.

I? v a I FIGURE 5 7 I 2 FIGURE 2 I a/5W FIGURE 1 %5b FIGURE 5 j 25 5-, 9 M14 I I '2 v 12' 15 v mvsm'onsl ATTORNEY UNITED STATES Parser caries.

SHELBY M. DODSON AND VICTOR I-I. GOATES, OF SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA.

SIGNALING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 15, 1921.

Application filed August 5, 1920. Serial No. 401,442.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, SHELBY M. DODSON and VIc'ron H. Coarns, citizens ofthe United States, and residents of San Jose, in the county of Santa Clara and Stateof California, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in Signaling Devices of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates particularly to signal devices for motor vehicles, and the object of our invention is to provide a simple, economical, and highly eiiicient signal device for day or night use.

In the drawing Figure 1 is a side elevation of our invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the indicator element.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 3--3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4; is a perspective view of one portion of the signal locking mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the bearing embodying another portion of the locking mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on line 6 -6- of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a detail illustration of the method of pivoting the indicator element and the handle of the device.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, we show the shaft 1 of a flat arrow arranged in a vertical plane, the head being indicated at 2 and the tail portion at 3, these parts being preferably made triangular in cross section as at 4:. The upper edge of the head is provided with laterally extending flanges 5-5 and the shaft 1 is provided with similar flanges on its upper edge as at 6-6. This arrow is preferably made of sheet metal suitably formed and soldered at the joints.

v At 7 is shown a hollow supporting rod having projecting fingers 9 at one end riveted to shaft 1 at 10, and similar fingers 11 at the other end riveted to a handle 12 at 13. Slidably mounted in rod 7 is a hollow rod 14 extending beyond both ends of rod 7 and riveted to shaft 1 at 15 and handle 12 at 16.

A shield 17 is mounted on rod 7 and directed toward arrow parts 1-2 and 3 and fitted with an electric light bulb 18 which is connected by wires 1920 to a suitable electric generator as battery 21 and controlled by a switch 22, the wires 1920 passing through hollow rod 14: and orifices 23 24- in rods 14: and 7, these openings being large enough topermit the operation of rod 14% in rod 7 without injury to said wlres.

Rod 7 is fitted with a sliding collar 25 secured thereon by set screw 26, and has four notches as 2727 -27 27 formed in its lower edge as shown to engage a pin 28' set in the upper edge of a bearing member 29, the latter being carried by a suitable bracket 30 for attachment to the frame of the ve hicle as the side upright 31 of a windshield.

In operation the bracket is secured in position and the signal adjusted to a suitable height by means of collar25. At night the electric light is switched on, the shield 17 concentrating the light on the several parts ofthe arrow. The beveled sides of the arrow prevent the casting of shadows, and the flanges 55 and 66 intercept more light and reflect it back upon said beveled surfaces whereby an arrow of proper proportions may be made visible for a very considerable distance. The flanges 5-5 on head 2 render the same visible from the rear when directed forwardly.

.If the direction of movement of the vehicle is to be indicated by swinging the arrow about in a horizontal plane, then the handle 12 is turned as indicated at 32 -32 -32, the rod 7 turning in bearing 29, and pin 28 engaging notches 27""-27"27 as the case may be and engaging notch 27 when in posi tion 32.

If it is desired to conform to certain laws and indicate the direction of turning by swinging the arrow about in a vertical plane, then handle 12 -is depressed to position 33* to place the arrow in a similar position as 34* (stop), and raised to 33' to place the arrow in a similar position as 34* (turn right), the positions 38-814: indicating turn left. When this code of signaling is used the arrow is swung into a neutral position, that is pointing forwardly, by turning handle 12 to position 32. For operating under the latter code it is to be understood that the rod 1% slides in rod 7 and arrow shaft 1 and handle 12 are pivoted thereto, and to rod 7 at 10 and 13 respectively.

It is to be further understood that while we'have herein shown and described a certain specific embodiment of our invention,

7 and means operatively mounted with relation to said element for illuminatin the sides thereof and the under surfaces oi said flanges.

2. A signal of the character indicated, comprising an arrow of greater width than thickness arranged in a vertical plane, laterally extending flanges arranged on the upper edges of the head and shaft of said arrow, means for operatively mounting said arrow on a Vehicle frame, and means operatively mounted with relation to said arrow for illuminating the sides thereof and the 7 under surfaces of said flanges.

3. A signal of the character indicated, comprising an arrow of greater width than thickness, triangular in vertical cross section with a wide edge uppermost, and arranged in a Vertical plane, laterally extending flanges arranged on the upper edges of the head and shaft of said arrow, means for operatively mounting said arrow on a vehicle frame, and means operatively mounted with relation to said arrow for illuminating the sides thereo'f and the under surfaces of said flanges.

SHELBY M. DODSON. VICTOR H. OOATES; 

